PETA Targets Mario for Tanooki Abuse

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Is Super Mario 3D Land just a fun new game, or a tool for cruelty?

By Audrey Drake

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - is known for taking some wild stands against various forms of entertainment. But its most recent target is a rather surprising one - everyone's favorite plumber, Mario.

In a mini-site called Mario Kills Tanooki, PETA is lampooning the plumber for his new Tanooki Tail Power-Suit, claiming it encourages the wearing of fur.

"When on a mission to rescue the princess, Mario has been known to use any means necessary to defeat his enemy - even wearing the skin of a raccoon dog to give him special powers," the site asserts. "Tanooki may be just a "suit" in Mario games, but in real life, tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur. By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it's OK to wear fur."

The site also includes a poorly-made mini-game in which a skinned Tanooki tries to chase down Mario to get his fur back, pictured below.

We're all for animal rights, but seriously, PETA. You're going after Mario?!

And here we thought Mario got the Power-Suit from a Super Leaf that transformed him into Tanooki Mario. Our mistake. I suppose this means he skinned a giant bee for his Bee Suit in Super Mario Galaxy 2… and I tremble to think as to the real source of his bunny ears in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins.